Chicago Bears: Final 7-round mock draft

Pre-Combine Mock Selection: Anthony Averett, Cornerback, Alabama

Pre-Free Agency Mock Selection: Keke Coutee, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

This is a massive gamble by Ryan Pace.

Emphasis on the word “massive“.

Since the Ray McDonald incident, Pace has been a no-nonsense guy when it comes to players with baggage.

With the exception of Antonio Callaway, Arden Key might be considered the biggest risk in the entire draft. His 2017 season certainly wasn’t his greatest (just four sacks in eight appearances). So going off of his 2016 numbers, things are a little more inspiring (11 sacks in 11 games).

You can probably attribute the drop in production due to his hiatus when he left LSU last spring. Taking time off would seem like a good thing for the young Georgia native. Except for the fact that he gained 40 lbs. since walking away. Key also dealt with a shoulder injury to open the season and ended it with a knee injury.

The former LSU Tiger has shown some good traits. He can attack from inside and outside. He possesses good length, which can be devastating if he can maximize that potential. His change in direction is wicked good. In all three seasons, he had at least eight quarterback hits.

So where do you even begin to evaluate this guy? He was once considered a top-10 talent. But all of the off-field concerns to go with a recent injury history? What grade do you give him?

However, as always, Ryan Pace is doing his homework:

The Bears added Aaron Lynch in free agency, which should help with outside linebacker depth. But as fate would have it, injuries are already dogging Chicago. At their second minicamp practice, Lynch suffered an ankle injury.

Matt Nagy claims it’s not a big deal, but there isn’t a ton of depth behind Lynch. Even Leonard Floyd hasn’t proved that he can stay healthy for a whole season.

Pace didn’t do much in free agency with buffing the linebackers. Here, he takes a chance on an ultimate boom-or-bust product with Arden Key.